Professor & Director, Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations, Spring 2026

The University of Tennessee Knoxvilles College of Communication & Information is conducting a search for the 12-month position of director of the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations to begin January 1 2026 or later. The director serves as a member of the colleges leadership team. The director is responsible for providing leadership and working to focus the teaching research creative activity and service missions of the school representing the school to a wide range of campus and professional constituencies and administering the schools activities and budget. The salary is competitive and based on experience and academic credentials.

Tombras School of Advertising & Public Relations

Housed in the College of Communication and Information the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations made history in 2022 as the first named school at the University of Tennessee and honors the legacy of Charles Tombras and the indelible imprint he and the Tombras Agency have made on the industry. The Tombras School funds student scholarships professional development opportunities and initiatives to promote workforce development as well as continuing education for faculty and staff. The Tombras School is home to 20 full-time faculty members who engage in research using a variety of methods including quantitative and qualitative research with the goal of advancing advertising and public relations theory and informing practice. The Tombras School offers academic programs and coursework at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. The School includes over 600 undergraduate majors and 35 M.S. and doctoral students. Visit the websites for the College ( and School ( for more information.

Leadership Opportunity

The new director will demonstrate a spirit of innovation a participatory leadership philosophy a deep commitment to the mission of the university and an ability to translate vision to reality. The next director will provide avenues for faculty and staff to participate in its planning and shared governance.

In addition to leading strategic planning efforts the new director will need to address the following priorities:

• Advocate- an advocate for the Tombras Schools undergraduate and graduate students faculty (tenure and non-tenure track) and staff in regard to college university industry and community matters.
• Culture- an understanding and appreciation of the current positive culture of the Tombras School and its importance and impact.
• Leadership -strategic and collaborative leadership that will build on the Colleges and Tombras Schools current long-term strategic plans while continuing to grow the Tombras Schools international reputation regarding research teaching and innovation.
• Future Leadership Training- will develop future administrative leaders and recognize the nurturing value in their interactions with students faculty (tenure and non-tunure track) and staff.
• Empathetic / Emotional Intelligence -ability to actively listen build relationships appreciate differences and provide constructive feedback.

A Ph.D. is required for this 12-month position. The position is open to current faculty holding the rank of full professor in the University of Tennessee System in the communication and/or information disciplines.

The director is expected to be a collaborative leader who acts with integrity possesses the ability to foster collegiality and clarity in the decision-making process and provides strong leadership to advance the colleges commitment to access and engagement. The director should have the ability to articulate and effectively advocate the schools mission to the students staff faculty alumni industry external funding agencies and other decision-making bodies. The successful candidate will be expected to play a major leadership role in developing strong academic and research programs that enhance the schools quality and reputation and to secure funding to support those endeavors. For more details see the UTK Faculty Handbook (

The candidate will demonstrate:

• A record of scholarly activity and university teaching with a rank of full professor.
• An agenda of successful research in advertising and/or public relations with an ability to support the research streams of faculty at a Research 1 university including the pursuit of grants publications in top journals and presence at major conferences.
• Professional experiences that will aid the schools development in relation to its integration with student and professional media advertising and public relations industries support faculty creative interests and enhance the overall refinement and growth of the professional component of the school including student classroom and other experiential learning opportunities.
• A record of scholarship creative activity teaching and/or service that demonstrates a commitment to a high-performing faculty staff and student body.
• The capacity to articulate and build consensus around a strategic vision and the ability to implement policies and initiatives to achieve that vision.
• A proven track record of leadership that demonstrates an ability to help an organization grow and navigate through change.
• An ability to view the schools growth and change process as recursive faculty and staff provide vision the director tackles logistics along with contributing their insights and thoughts and then returns back to the faculty to ensure strategic execution of goals.
• Effectiveness in supporting and building innovative programs and initiatives including online learning and the use of technology across the curriculum.
• Skill in fiscal planning and resource management especially with RCM budget models.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills with the ability to manage complexity and balance competing priorities multiple constituencies and numerous responsibilities simultaneously with a commitment to data-informed decision making and accountability.
• The ability to create productive partnerships across disciplinary and industry boundaries.
• Familiarity with professional accreditation expectations and processes including ACEJMC accreditation.
• Awareness of current and emerging topics in higher education particularly those that are relevant to advertising and public relations.
• Prior leadership experiences that demonstrate an effective collaborative and energizing leadership style with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Personal and professional qualities of integrity honesty open-mindedness forthrightness and resiliency.
• A willingness and demonstrated ability to build community and a sense of shared responsibility for the schools many and growing teaching and service needs.